Jirayu Houngsub has recently taken up the mantle of public relations adviser to the Prime Minister while his application for the government spokesman’s role undergoes further scrutiny. (Photo: Government House)
Jirayu Houngsub, former spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, is poised to step into the shoes of the government spokesman as early as next week, insider sources divulge. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on Tuesday, roped in Mr. Jirayu as her public relations adviser, kicking off an in-depth qualification review.
The vetting process for political assignments has ramped up its rigor, driven by an uptick in ethics-related grievances. The Pheu Thai Party, along with Ms. Paetongtarn, is currently wrestling with a dozen complaints touch on appointment controversies and other issues. A past incident involving a controversial cabinet minister appointment even led to the judicial ousting of Srettha Thavisin from his prime ministerial post last month.
Traditionally, verifying the criminal records of candidates for such pivotal positions was the police’s domain, with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Council of State checking other credentials. However, the landscape has shifted; a more eclectic mix of agencies now partake in the scrutiny process. This includes the Anti-Money Laundering Office, the Constitutional Court, the Legal Execution Department, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, the Office of the Auditor General, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
During his tenure as the PR adviser to the Prime Minister, Mr. Jirayu will zoom in on amplifying the government’s achievements before potentially transitioning to the official spokesperson title.
In a spree of new appointments, six additional advisers joined the Prime Minister’s team on Tuesday. These include Chaikasem Nitisiri, Yuttapong Charasathien, Suwat Liptapanlop, Songkram Kitlertphairoj, Jakkapong Sangmanee, and Thitiwat Adisornphankul, marking a significant expansion in the advisory council.
This kind of extensive vetting process is exactly what we need to restore public trust in our institutions. Kudos to the government for taking these steps.
But can we really trust they’ll follow through? Politicians have a history of saying one thing and doing another.
Skepticism is healthy, but without some level of trust, nothing will ever change.
Yeah, politicians always screw up. This is just smoke and mirrors.
The fact that a past appointment could lead to judicial oustings shows the dangers of corruption. Every precaution is necessary.
I find it a bit concerning that Jirayu is stepping in amid ongoing ethics complaints. Is he really the right choice right now?
Everyone’s got some skeletons. As long as they can do the job, it’s fine.
This process sounds overly bureaucratic. How long will it take for them to finally appoint him?
Better to take the time and get it right than rush into a bad decision.
Is anyone else tired of hearing about endless vetting? Just appoint someone already!
The stakes are high in these positions. Rushing could lead to catastrophic results.
I understand that, but dragging this out forever isn’t helpful either. There has to be a balance.
Glad to see more agencies involved in the vetting process. Is there a risk of too many cooks in the kitchen, though?
That’s a valid point, but the diversity of checks might actually ferret out issues more effectively.
All these new appointments just sound like cronyism to me. Will they actually contribute anything significant?
People always rushing to criticize without seeing the bigger picture. Let’s give the new advisors a chance before passing judgment.
Completely agree. It’s easy to be a keyboard warrior without knowing all the facts.
Well, transparency would help us know the facts. The government should make their actions clearer.
The constant shuffling of political figures only leads to instability. You can’t build anything solid on shaky foundations.
That’s true, but it’s also necessary to find the right people who aren’t corrupt or incompetent.
Interesting that the National Anti-Corruption Commission is involved. Maybe they’ll actually start cracking down more.
Would Jirayu really be effective in amplifying the government’s achievements? Seems like another over-hyped appointment.
What are Jirayu’s qualifications anyway? Never heard of him until now.
Same here. Can someone explain his background?
He was the former spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence. That gives him some standing.
With all these controversies, can we really expect a smooth transition?
The government is always playing musical chairs with these positions. Does stability even mean anything anymore?
I’d say they are trying to find the best fit. Sometimes you have to go through several options to get it right.
So many agencies involved in the vetting process might make it more transparent, but does it also make it more susceptible to leaks and bias?
Good point. The more people involved, the harder it is to keep the process clean and unbiased.
Jirayu could bring fresh perspectives to the role. Sometimes, new blood is precisely what’s needed.
Wouldn’t it be beneficial if we had a more streamlined process for these appointments rather than involving so many agencies?
What exactly are the qualifications for becoming a government spokesman? It seems like a pretty cushy job for pals of the PM.
The whole vetting process sounds like a lot of red tape. Government bureaucracy at its finest!